Bed construction



Dec. 29, 1931. w. A. MATHEsoN ET AL. 1,838,561

BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 12, 1927 4 Sheets-Shee'rI l 29, 1931. w. A. -MATHEsoN ET AL 1,838,561

BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 1 2. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 29, 1931. w. A. MATHSON' ET AL 1,838,561

BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 12.

1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 29, 1931. w. A.MATHEsoN ET Al. l 1,838,551

. BED CONSTRUCT ION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D60. 12. 1927 position` Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED lSTATES WILLIAIK( A.. MATI-IESON AND WILLIALI l?. BOWER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORSv PATENT OFFICE T ROLL-A-WAY BED CORPORATION, OF `Cil-IICAG'O, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS p 4:BED CONSTRUCTION Application led December 12, 1927. Serial No. 239,478.

Our invention relates to bed construction and more particularly to the construction of beds which may be foldedor collapsed.

i particular object of our invention is to provide improved devices ofthe kind described that can not fold, collapse, or jackknife accidentally;

One form of the invention is embodied in a bed comprising a Wheeled truck upon Which the side rails of the bed are pivoted, a foot frame being pivotally secured to the side rails. TheA head frame of the bed is preferably rigidly secured to the truck and the side-railsand the foot frame are counterbalanced by a. Weight and a plurality p of springs. In this embodiment of the invention, the'springs tend to jack-knife the bed or to tip the truck toward the foot frame when the foot frame is in its functionally Operative To prevent 'such tipping ofthe truck, We provide a plurality of latch members which are mounted in the head frame ,functionally inoperative positions and do not prevent the side rails and the foot framefrom being folded into functionally inoperative positions. Y

Another embodiment of the inventionV is embodied in a bed which is similarA in construction to the bed described abovev but in this instance, the latch-members are adapted to engage the side rails instead of the lWeight and are normally held in inoperative positions by slidably Journaled plungers which normally engage the floorlupon Which the bed is supported.

In another embodiment' of Athe invention, We provide a bed Which is similar in construction to the bed described above. To prevent jack-knifing of the bed, latch meinbers engageable With the side rails of the bed are normally held in functionally inoperative positionsby plungers `Which are provided at their lower ends with casters, or the equivalent, adapted to ride upon-the floor.

Many otherobje'cts and advantages'of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

` To this end our invention consists in the novel'construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a embodi-es the invention; b 2 is a rear elevation of the improved Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l; i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on Vline 4--4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6 6v of Figff,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a bed vvhich embodies Vanother form of the invention; l

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line Fig. 10 isa fragmentaryelevation ofA a j plunger adapted to be employed in place of therplungers shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and i Fig. llis a section takenthrough a portion V'of apparatus Which embodies stilli another form of the invention. Y

' Referringfor the present to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, wherein We have shown a preferred form ofthe invention embodied in a collapsible or folding bed, the reference character l0 .designates generally a supporting frame or truck which preferably comprises a pressed steel frame 1l supported upon apluralityof casters Which are vpreferably swiveled in the frame 11. "In thisembodiment of the invention, We preferably provide `tvvo castersl at the rear end of the frame l1 `and two casters 14 at the front end of this frame, thecasters 13 and 14 being preferably substantiallyiden- Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken on line particularly pointed out in the bea which 11 at the rear end thereof is a head frame 15 which preferably comprises an inverted Un shaped tubular member 17 which has its ends rigidly secured to the frame 11 by any suitable means. As best shown in Fig. 2, the tubular member 17 provides two substantially vertical hollow head posts 18 whose longitudinal axes are perferably coincident with the vertical axes around which the casters 13 are arranged to swivel. 1t will be readily apparent as this description progresses that we are not limited to a head frame of the kind described in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive.. butl that head frames of any suitable construction may be employed and if so desired, may be dispensed with entirely. However, in this instance, the head frame 15 comp 1ises a substantially horizontal bar 2O extending between and rigidly secured to the hollow post 18 and a plurality of relatively short vertical posts 22 extend between the bar 20 and a substantially horizontal portion 23 forming part of the tubular member 17.

Carried by the frame 11 and rigidly secured thereto are two brackets 25, each of the brackets 25 being preferably formed with a socket 26, or the equivalent, in which a trunnion 2T is pivoted. rEhe trunnions 27 are preferably formed integral with plates 28, or the equivalent, which are rigidlyv secured to side rails 29 forming part of the improved bed. lt will be noted that the trunnions 27 are positioned intermediate the foot and head ends of the side rails 29 and that they are positioned much closer to the head ends of the side rails than they are to the foot ends thereof. Pivoted to the foot ends of the side rails 29 by means comprising pins 30, or the equivalent, is a foot frame 31 adapted to rest upon the floor to support the foot end of the bed when the bed is in its functionally operative position. Means comprising a link 33 is preferably proifided for bringing thefoot frame 31 into a folded position with respect to the side rails 29 when the side rails are swung into the positions wherein they are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It may be mentioned that the Idetails of construction of the side rails 29, the foot frame 31 and the means for bringing the foot frame into a folded position with respect to the side rails 29 are not part of this invention.

Secured to the head ends of the side rails 29 by bent straps 35, or the equivalent, is a weight 36 which cooperates with a plurality of tension springs 87 to counter-balance the foot frame 31 and those portions of the side rails 29 which are disposed to the left of the trunnions 27 in Fig. 1. One end of each spring 37 is preferably secured to one of the side rails 29 by a pin 38, or the equivalent, and the other end of the spring is preferably secured to a bracket l() which is rigidly secured to the frame 11. It will be noted that the pins 38 are disposed to the right of the trunnions 27 in Fig. 1 and that the springs 37 tend to angularly displace the side rails 29 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1) to bring the side rails 29 into the positions wherein they are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It will also be noted that the springs 37 tend to rotate the truck l() as a unit around the trunnions 2T so as tcjack-knife the bed. Heretofore, this has been a serious fault in beds of this type.

To prevent jack-knifing of the bed when he truck 10 tips toward the foot fran e 31 and the posts 18 are lifted out of their normal positions, we preferably provide a plurality of latch members Ll2 in the posts 18. Figs. l, 5 and (i are sections through one of these posts and if these figures are inspected, it will be noted that each latch member 412 normally occupies a position wherein it does not project from the post although each post is slotted as at so that the associated latch member l2 may swing into a position such as that illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l. lVhen a latch member l2 is in a position corresponding to the dotted line position shown in Fig. ll, it is obvious that it will engage the weight 3G if the truck 10 is tipped forwardly upon its casters i11- toward the foot frame 31. Gf course, the side rails could be extended so that they could be engaged directly by Ithe latch members. is best shown in Fig. Il, each latch member 42 is pivoted by a pin 115 to a tube f6 which is preferably seated in the lower end of one of the posts 18, bolts Li8, or the equivalent, being preferably provided to hold the tube L16 in place in the post 18. A slot r9 formed in the upper end of each tube 11G is aligned with the slot L13 formed in tne associated post 18 so that the associated latch member may swing into a position wherein it is engageable with the weight 36. Carried by the tube 4G is a pin 50 which projects through an arcuate slot 52 formedr in the latch member 42, the arrangement being such that the pin 50 limits the distance the latch member may project from the associated post. Referring to Figs. and G, it will be noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, the posts 18 are substantially rectangul in cross section and that 'the tubes 46 are circular' in cross section.

Slidably journaled in each tube 46 is a tubular member or plunger si which is preferably provided with an exterior cylindrical surface of less diameter than the interior surface of the tube However, we preferably provide a plurality of annnlar flanges 57a upon the tubular member or plunger 5i, which iianges 57a slidably eng:` the interior surface of the tube 416. At its upper end, the vtube l 'e preferably closed by a disk 57, or the equivalent, engageablc with the bottom edge of the associated latch member ft2. A plug G0 preferably rigidly secured in the lower end of the tabular member or plunger 5ahas the associated caster 18 swiv- .el-ed to it.

Obviously, if the head frame 15 and the rear end of the truck 11 are raised from the floor, the weight of the casters 13 and the tubular members or plunger 54 will cause the casters to `remain in engagement with the floor, the casters 13 and the tubular members or plungers 54 being displaced with respect to the post 18. This displacement of the.V

tubular members or plungers 54 with respect to the posts 18 is limited bythe bolts 48 which pass through slot 62 formed in the tubular members or plungers 54. .Y

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the lower edges of the late h members 42 normally rest upon the upperV ends of the tubular members or plungers 54 and upon the disksY 57 carried thereby and that the latch members are pivoted to the tubes 46 in such manner that when the posts 18 are displaced in an upward direction to bring the loweredges of the latch members out of engagement with the tubular members or plungers 54 and the disks carried thereby, the latch niemberswill gravitate into positions corresponding to the dotted line position shown of one of the latch members in Fig. 4. And if the posts 18 are subsequently lowered, the lower edges of the latch members 42 will be engaged by the upper ends of the tubular members or plung'ers 54 and by the disks 57 to swing the latch members 42 into positions wherein they do not projectfrom the posts 18.

The manner in which Vthe bed shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is used or handled is believed to be obvious but for the purposes of this disclosure, a brief explanation will be made. l/Vhen the bed is not in use, theV side rails 29 preferably occupy the positions wherein they Vare shown in dotted lines in lig. 1, the foot frame 31 being folded back to occupy positions parallel to and adjacent the side rails. Ubviously, when the bed is folded in this manner, it may be stored in a closet, or the like, or may be positioned in a corner of stroom. lVhen thefbed is to be used, the side rails and thefoot frame are pulled down into the Vpositions wherein they are shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The springs 37 and the counter weight 86 counter-balance the side rails and the foot frame so that it requires comparatively little effort to swing the side rails and thefoot frame from their functionally operative positions to their functionally inoperative positions or vice versa. However, as set'forth above,'the springs 37 tend to angularly displacevthe truck 10 in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 1) around the trunnions 27 to jackknife the bed. Thus, the truck tends to tip forwardly on its casters 114 toward the footV frame 81 when the foot frame -is in its functionally operative position. Such jack-knife ing of the bed is prevented by thelatch members 42'as when the truck 10 Ytends to tip toward the foot .frame 31, theV posts 18 are displaced awayy fromthe floor upon which the bed rests and the latch members are lifted fromthe upper ends of the tubular members 54 and the disks 57 carried thereby.

This permits the latch members 42 to fall .f

into positions wherein theyproj ect from the tubular posts 18 and lierinthe path of the weight 86." Ubviously, this prevents further upward movement of the posts and therefore prevents the truck from tipping into aV position lwherein thel bed will be aclnlrnifed.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9 wherein we have shown a bed embodying another .form ofthe invention, we have employed similar reference numerals to designate parts of this bedwhich are substantially identical in construction to the bed shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive However, in the case of the bed shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the letter a Y is added to the reference numerals which are employed to indicate parts similar to those provided in the bed shown in Figs. 1 to {"ninclusive.` Thus, it will be noted that the improved bed shown in Figs. 7 to 9, in-

clusive, Vcomprises a" truck 10er,V having a frame 11a and casters 13a; and 14a. Mounted upon the truck 10a Vis a head frame 15a and brackets 25a. Pivoted in sockets 26a` provided in the brackets 25aare trunnio-ns 270: preferably formed integral with plates 28a. which are rigidlyV secured to side rails 29a. Of course, the side rails 29a carry a foot Aframe (not shown) of any suitable construction.` The side rails V29a and the foot frame (not shown) are counterbalanced by Ya weight 86a and tension springs 37a which are substantially identical in construction to the' aforementioned weight 36'and springs 37, respectively. lTo prevent jack-kniiing of Vthe bed shown in Fig.7, we preferably pro- Vide a .plurality rof latch members, one of whichisshown at 42a. Each latch member 42a is pivotedby a pin 45a to two spaced angle irons 7 O which are rigidly secured to the frame 11a, the latch member 42a being positioned between the angle irons 70. Slid` ably journaled in blocks 71 and 72 positioned between the angle irons 70 is a plunger 73 which at its lower end is provided with a foot 74 having a rounded surface 7 5 adapted to rest upon the floor.V Asbest shown in Figs- 7 and 8,- when the truck 100iv and the side rails 29a occupy the relative positions whereinthey are shown in` these figures, the

Vlower edge Vof the latchY member 42a rests upon thedupper end of the plunger 73 and the latch member 42aoccupies a .position Y end oi the truck a will be displaced in a direction away from the Hoor and the pivot point ot the latch members 42a will also be raised. Then, as the weight or" the plungers 'T3 causes the feet thereof to remain in engagement with the iloor, the latches 2a will gravitate into positions wherein they will engage the side rails 29o and prevent further angular displacement of the truclrlOa in a counterclockwise direction (Fie: 7) around the trunnions Q'a. Ot course, the latch members 42a do not prevent the bed from being folded in a normal manner. rl`hus the side rails 29a may be quickly and easily swung into substantially upright positions and the Jfoot frame (not shown) will 'fold back .against them.

ln Fig. lO, we have illustrated another embodiment ot the invention; thus, we have shown a plung r 73?) adapted to be employed in place ot the plunger shown in Fig. 8. The plunger 73?) is provided at its lower end with a caster 745. Obviously, when the plungers .73 of the bed shown in '.7 to 9, inclusive, are replaced by plungers '73?) resembling those shown in Fig. 10, the casters 711-?) ride upon the floor. A bed embodying the construction shown in Fig. 10 is operated in substantially the same manner a. bed which embodies the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive.

In Fig. ll we have shown mechanism which embodies another form of the invention and may be used in place of some of the mechan ism shown in Fi(Y e The reference character 18o desi gnateslh hollow post which forms part of a folding bed substantially identical to the bed shown in l to 6, inclusive. However, in this instance, a latch member 420 is used in place of the latch member d2 shown in Fig. e, the latch member 420 being pivotcd by a pin e5@ to a tube 46c which is secured in the post 180. The tube 46c and the post 19in are slotted so that the latch member l-Qc may move into the position wherein it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. ll, displacement of the latch member 420 around the pin C being limited by a pin 50c which rides in a slot 520 formed in the latch member 4:20.

f The pin. 50c is carried by the tube 46c. Bolts d8a', or the equivalent, are provided for securing the tube 41.60 to the post 180 and a tubular member slidably journaled in the post 180 Ais provided vith slots 620 which permit longitudinal displacement of the post 18e relative to the i' A link 1000 has mar member 540. one of its ends pivoted by a pin ldlc to the tubular member 54o and has the other of its ends pivoted by a pin i020' to the latch member fel-2c. @t course, the tubular member 5st@ has a caster (not shown) siviveled to its lower end and the construction is such that when the bed of which the post 18e forms a part tends to jack-knife, the post 180 moves upward and raises the pin 45o in such manner that'the link 1000 causes the latch member le20 to swin y into the position wherein it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1l. When the latch member is in this position., it is adapted to engage the weight (not shown) or an equivalent-part provided upon the bed of' which the post 18o forms a part.

Having thus described our invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in thc same without departing from the spirit of our invention; hence we do not wish to be understood as imiting ourselves to the exact Jform, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

lli/'hat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the class described, a truck, a head trame comprising slotted vertical tubular members, sody supporting means pi voted to said head frame, a root frame carried bj said body supporting means, means for counter-balancing said body supporting means and si id toot trame, a latch member having means by which it is pivotally secured in one of said slotted vertical tubular members, and means telescoping within said vertical tubular member and normally engaging said latch member for maintaining it in inoperative position, said means being movable by gravity out of engagement with said latch member when said head member is raised, latch member being movable through said slot into engagement with said body supporting means upon said movement oit said head member.

Q- In a bed, the combination ot a head trame including a tubular portion having a slot formed therein, a body supporting trame secured to the head frame for pivotal movement relatively to the head frame into and out et functional operative positions, and means tor preventing jaclr-lrniiing of the bed structure, said means including a member arranged within said tubular portion of the head frame and being movable through said slot ofthe tubular portion into and out of operative relationship with the body supporting frame.

2i. ln bed, the combination of a head fr me having a tubular leg, a body supporting trame pivotally secured to the head :trame for movement to and from body supporting positions, a member arranged for movement in said leg, means for limiting movement ot said member, an element adapted for cooperation with the body supporting iframe to limit pivotal movement of the body supporting frame, said tubular leg having an opening, said element being movable in a vertical plane in said opening into and out of cooperating relation with the body supporting frame, said member arranged in said leg llO 151338,561Y p 5v providing means for controlling movement of said element.

4. In a bed, the combination of a head frame having a tubular leg, a body supporting frame pivotally secured to the head frame for movement to and from body supporting positions, a member arranged for 1 movement in said leg, means for limiting movement of said member7 an element adapt- 10 yed for cooperation with the body supporting frame to limit pivotal movement of the body supporting frame, said element being pivoted and having the pivot thereof offset with relation to the center of gravity thereof, said tubular leg having an opening, said element being movable in said opening into and out of c0operating relation with the body supporting frame, an end of said member arranged in said leg being in engagement with an end of 2o said pivotal element and providing means for controlling movement of said element.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto signed our names.

VVILLIAMV A; MATI-IESON. WILLIAM P. BOWER. 

